How to Fix ‘Failed to Authenticate your connection’ Error in Minecraft?

The ‘Failed to Authenticate your Connection’ Error springs up while trying to join a Minecraft server. The error message prevents the player from being able to connect to the server and this usually indicates a bug with the Minecraft server. This is also seen in Hypixel servers. the steps listed below are seen to work for them as well.

This particular error is mostly caused when the Minecraft servers are glitched or your connection isn’t stable. Minecraft requires the users’ connection to be stable and constant in order for it to successfully establish an inflow and outflow of data. Therefore, a faulty connection either on the users’ side or Minecraft’s’ side causes this error.

Solution 1: Power Cycle the Internet Router

In some cases, the error is displayed when the internet cache that has been built up by the router is corrupted and it prevents the user from establishing a secure connection with the servers. This error can also cause the connection to timeout. Therefore, in this step, we will be getting rid of that cache by completely power-cycling the internet router. For that:

1. Unplug the internet router from the wall socket.

   

2. Press and hold the power button on the back of the router for at least 15 seconds.
3. Plug the router back in and press the power button to turn it on.

   

4. Wait for the internet access to be granted and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 2: Restart Launcher

Sometimes, the game doesn’t launch properly due to which some files aren’t loaded completely. This issue can also prevent the game from connecting to a world. Therefore, in this step, we will be completely restarting the launcher and the game to get rid of this problem. In order to do that:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select the “Task Manager” option.
   Or press “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Del” and select the “Task Manager” option.

   

2. Scroll down in the “Processes” tab and look for anything with “Minecraft” in its name.
3. Once found, click on the process and select the “End Task” option to close it completely.

   

4. Once closed, wait for some time and restart the launcher.
5. Start Minecraft, try to connect to the server, and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 3: Use Direct Connect

In some cases, instead of connecting through the server list we can use the direct connect feature in the multiplayer to connect to the server. Since this problem is most prevalent with the “Hypixel” server, we will be using direct connect to get into it. For that:

1. Launch the Minecraft launcher and get into the server list screen.
2. Click on the “Direct Connect” option on the bottom of the screen.

   

3. In the direct connect feature, type in “stuck.hypixel.net” and click on “Connect”.
4. Wait for the connection to be established and check to see if the game is connected.
5. If it is, this means that there is most probably a bug with the Minecraft launcher which is preventing you from connecting through the server list.
6. You can either reinstall the game or wait for the glitch to go away and use the direct connect feature until it does.

Solution 4: Logout and Log Back into the Minecraft Launcher

A temporary glitch between your system and Minecraft servers may cause the ‘failed to authenticate’ issue (especially, if you have recently changed your user’s name in Minecraft) and may get cleared if your log out/log in to the Minecraft launcher.

1. Quit Game (if applicable) in the Minecraft Launcher and close the launcher (make sure to end all of its relevant processes in the Task Manager of your system).
2. Then open the Minecraft launcher and click on the user’s name (near the top right of the window).
3. Now choose Logout and close the launcher (make sure no process related to it is operating in the Task Manager of your system).

   

4. Then open the launcher again and log in using your credentials to check if the Hypixel issue is resolved.
5. If the issue persists, then log out of the launcher (as discussed above) and launch a web browser.
6. Now navigate to the Mojang website and click on Login.
7. Then click on the Forgot Password link and in the next window, enter your registered email with the Mojang.

   

8. Now click on Request Password Reset and then use the instructions in the email to reset the password.

   

9. After resetting the password, launch the Minecraft launcher and log in using the new credentials to check if the ‘failed to authenticate’ issue is resolved.

Solution 5: Rejoin the Hypixel Server

A temporary glitch between your system and the Hypixel server may result in the ‘failed to authenticate’ issue. The glitch may get cleared if you rejoin the server.

1. Exit the Minecraft launcher (make sure to Quit Game, if applicable) and make sure to end all of its relevant processes in the Task Manager of your system.
2. Now open the Launcher and select Single Player.

   

3. Then play the single-player world for 2 to 3 minutes and then exit the world.
4. Now, select Multiplayer and click on Add Server.

   

5. Then enter the following and click Done:

   mc.hypixel.net

6. Now check if the launcher is clear of the authentication issue.
7. If the issue persists, then check if using the following (one by one) in the Server box resolves the issue:

   hypixel.net
   
   stuck.hypixel.net

   

8. If the connection is made, then try again with the “mc.hypixel.net” in the Server Address box.
9. If the issue persists, then try again after a system/internet equipment restart.

Solution 6: Edit the Hosts File

You may fail to authenticate your connection when using the Hypixel server if the Hosts file blocks your system’s access to an essential resource for the operation of the Minecraft launcher (usually, due to the use of an application like MCLeaks).

1. First, uninstall the MCLeaks (or similar application) in Apps & Features and then perform a thorough system scan with antivirus/antimalware (like Malwarebytes) products.
2. Now click Windows, type: Notepad, and right-click Notepad. Then choose Run as Administrator.

   

3. Then expand File and click on Open.
4. Now navigate to the following path (copy-paste the address):

   \Windows\System32\drivers\etc

5. Then change the document type to All Files and double-click on the Hosts file.

   

6. Now expand the Edit menu and select Find.
7. Then search for Mojang and remove all the entries pointing to it.

   

8. Now save your changes and check if the ‘Hypixel failed to authenticate’ issue is resolved.

Solution 7: Allow the Minecraft Traffic in the System’s Firewall

The Hypixel failed to authenticate your connection issue may arise if the Firewall of your system is blocking access to a resource essential for the operation of the Minecraft launcher. For illustration, we will discuss the process for the Windows Defender Firewall, you may follow the instructions as per your Firewall product.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk as editing the Firewall settings is a proficient task and if done wrong, you may expose your system/data to threats.

1. Quit Game (if applicable) and exit the Minecraft launcher (make sure to end all the Minecraft-related processes in the Task Manager).
2. Now click Windows, type: Firewall, and open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

   

3. Then, in the left pane, select Inbound Rules and make sure all the rules for the Minecraft/Java are set to Allow the Connection.

   

4. Now click New Rule in the right pane and select the radio button of Program.

   

5. Then click Next and in front of This Program Path, click on Browse.

   

6. Now navigate to the installation directory of Minecraft. Usually,

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\

7. Then open the folder with the Java version number (the folder with JRE name) and double-click on the Bin folder (in some cases, the Bin folder may be located in the jre-x64 folder).
8. Now double-click on javaw.exe and click on the Next button.

   

9. Then select the radio button of Allow the Connection and select all the three profiles (i.e., Domain, Private, Public).

   

10. Now name the rule as per your convenience and repeat the same for the Java.exe in the Bin folder, if present (step 7). If you have also installed a separate Java installation, make sure to add rules to allow it as well.
11. Then repeat the same in the Outbound Rules tab and check if the Hypixel issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, then check if allowing the port 25565 in the Firewall settings (Action>> New Rule>> Port) resolves the issue. If that did not do the trick, make sure the router’s (or corporate) Firewall is not blocking access to port 25565.